1. New Direction for a Nation
Grade 8
Chapter 28

2. Section 1 – A Conservative Surge
Define “conservative” and “liberal.”
Compare and contrast the Moral Majority’s goals with those of liberals in the 1960’s and 1970’s – recall what you have read in earlier chapters.
What troubles plagued President Carter’s Presidency?
What was Ronald Reagan’s plan for the United States when he took office?
How does George H.W. Bush compare to the other Republican Presidents pictured on the campaign button on page 939 of the text?
Why did Bill Clinton refer to himself as a “New Democrat” and did he live up to his name? How did scandal compromise Clinton’s Presidency?
What problems arose from the Presidential election of 2000? What occurred for voters in Florida?
Describe some of George W. Bush’s initiatives and their effect on America.

3. Section 2 – End of the Cold War
How did Carter’s actions demonstrate a shift in Cold War policies?
Were Reagan’s anti-Communist efforts focused solely on the Soviet Union? Explain.
How did the Soviets respond to the U.S. arms buildup? What effect did the arms race ultimately have on Soviet citizens? Why?
Why did the Soviet Union not fight to keep control of the Communist governments of Eastern European countries such as Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Poland and Romania?
What happened to the Soviet Union in the early 1990’s? How did Gorbachev’s reforms affect the new republics?
What were the effects of the Cold War?

4. Section 3 – A New Role in the World
What tools sis the United States use to promote democracy in the post-Cold War world?
Why did Clinton press the Chinese on human rights issues?
Compare the four arms treaties made between 1972 and Why do you think both sides waited to sign a treaty before they reduced their weapons?

5. Section 4 – Conflict in the Middle East
Define the term “diplomacy.”
What are the United States’ two conflicting interests in the Middle East?
When was the state of Israel formed and why are Israelis and Arabs at odds? Briefly describe the key events in the peace process between Arabs and Israelis since What actions on each side hurt the peace process?
Define strict or “radical” Islam and Westernization – why are the two ways of life at odds?